Summary
Build-up, team news and news conferences as the latest round of Champions League matches begin - how it stands
🗣️ Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola and forward Cody Gakpo are speaking to the media
Liverpool take their perfect European record to face Fenerbahce on Wednesday, who are managed by former striker Dirk Kuyt - a huge month awaits Liverpool
Manchester United play Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday, with Michael Carrick looking to end a nine-game winless run in all competitions | Aston Villa are away at Barcelona
Meanwhile, centre-back William Saliba is back in Arsenal first-team training as he nears a return to playing
That's your lot from Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo and manager Andoni Iraola.
Worth the wait, eh...?
Both addressed Sunday's officiating in the defeat by Arsenal while looking ahead to Wednesday's game in Istanbul.
Here are the top lines:
Iraola didn't give much away with regard to Ryan Gravenberch's injury and labelled it as "day to day"
The Liverpool boss claimed he hasn't asked for an explanation with regard to refereeing decisions against Arsenal on Sunday, nor has he asked for one, while Cody Gakpo said the team "have to live with that decision"
Iraola was under no illusions that Wednesday "will not be easy" but said "Istanbul is always going to be very special for Liverpool"
Finally, when asked about transfer speculation from the summer, Gakpo stated that there was "not much of a discussion" and "the decision that was made, was made"
Our evening team will be back with you in the next hour or so to bring you all of tonight's Champions League action so make sure to tune in.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola on the midfield battle against Fenerbahce: "They have very good players in midfield, they have a very good technical level. If we allow them a lot of time on the ball and don't press them properly we will suffer.
"We need to not allow them to win confidence as they have experienced players who know how to play in this competition."
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola on Ryan Gravenberch: "It is a day to day thing. The fracture healed, it is about the pain. He has some discomfort. It is going to be something every day we will ask him how he is."
On Trey Nyoni: "He has to continue in the same place as the beginning of the season, being ready for every game. We trust him, he is doing very well. We have to encourage him to continue improving and learning."
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola on Fenerbahce's style of play: "They are in a situation where they have changed their manager. The players have not changed, we know most of the players and the team. We don't have as many games to analyse with Dirk Kuyt than they had with the previous manager but I don't think they've changed much the style."
Dirk KuytImage source, Getty Images
Dirk Kuyt
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola on Istanbul being a "lucky" place for Liverpool: "Istanbul is always going to be very special for Liverpool. It is difficult to find a more important night. Tomorrow it won't be easy, you talk about statistics, especially English teams playing here. They have very good players and a very good squad, they know how to play in this competition. We have to start strong in the game.
"It is very early in the season to establish comparisons. We want to continue how we have done in the Champions League, three games and nine points, it is a good chance to get to 12 points and then finish in the top eight.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola on if asked for explanation from Pro Ref on referee decisions against Arsenal: "I didn't ask for an explanation. I told you what I think about the plays but honestly I don't have time. Been preparing for this game, focusing on the opposition and how to prepare the team for tomorrow."
Some final words from Cody Gakpo on the Champions League tournament and whether it suits Liverpool more than the Premier League: "I think it depends how you look at it, if you look at both leagues, we scored a good amount of goals. Champions League is special. I don't want to say this league suits us more than the Premier League obviously."
On team options: "We can see a lot of potential, I think everybody has showed it already individually. We have to know each other very well. I think from that moment on it can only be better than it is now."
On what he expects from the stadium: "Very hostile and great environment. The environment was massive. I'm looking forward to it and hopefully it will be a good atmosphere."
Andoni Iraola, Manager of Liverpool, looks on before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on November 01, 2026 in Liverpool, England.Image source, Getty Images
Andoni Iraola, Manager of Liverpool, looks on before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on November 01, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo on the Reds coming up against former player Dirk Kuyt, who now manages Fenerbahce: "He got a lot of caps in the national team, also played for Liverpool. I think he scored a hat-trick last time he played there. I watched quite a bit of him."
On if he has a point to prove after speculation over his future in the summer: "No not really, I think my mindset has stayed the same like it always had been, trying to perform. I try to enjoy football and life."
Dirk Kuyt of Liverpool Legends looks on during the Legends Charity Match between Liverpool Legends and Chelsea Legends at Anfield on March 22, 2025 in Liverpool,Image source, Getty Images
Dirk Kuyt of Liverpool Legends looks on during the Legends Charity Match between Liverpool Legends and Chelsea Legends at Anfield on March 22, 2025 in Liverpool,
13. Cody Gakpo of Liverpool in action during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on November 01, 2026 in Liverpool, England.Image source, Getty Images
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool in action during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on November 01, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
Dirk Kuyt was in a very optimistic mood ahead of his reunion with Liverpool tomorrow. Interestingly, it's the first time that these two sides have ever faced each other.
Inside a packed press conference room at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Kuyt spoke passionately about wanting to show Europe how strong Fenerbahce can really be.
The Turkish side are going through a torrid run of form and Kuyt only stepped up as interim boss last week but this fixture offers a massive opportunity to get the fans smiling again.
"Liverpool is an amazing team but so is Fenerbahce and if we and the fans can show up tomorrow in Kadikoy, Europe will really see how big Fenerbahce is," he said.
Fenerbahce interim head coach Dirk Kuyt speaks during a press conferenceImage source, Getty Images
Fenerbahce interim head coach Dirk Kuyt speaks during a press conference
Fenerbahce interim coach Dirk Kuyt spoke earlier today and was asked about facing Liverpool on Wednesday evening: "We have a good plan. I was listening to Andoni Iraola after the Arsenal game and he said he was happy about the energy. The most important thing is to play with energy and passion. Europe will see how difficult it is to play against us.
"Going to the Champions League after 18 years was very important for Fenerbahce. When you reach that level, you know you'll be playing against very impressive teams.
"I was very excited after the draws were made. It was very clear that it would be a very special situation. Tomorrow will be very important for me, but right now the club is what's important."
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